Light deflection system

ABSTRACT

A display system using a fluid stream as an optical fiber carrying a light beam, by total internal reflection, to a display panel. The fluid stream is selectively directed to a transparent character on the display panel, and the light beam is released from the fluid stream by inducing a sharp bend into the fluid stream.

BEG-96.32 $R x12 3256611 1 SEARCH ROOM United Stat V 3,566,172

SUBSTITUTE FOR MISSING XR [72] lnventors George WilliamTaylor; [56]Referencesciled A IN 25 SN lflmwmNJ- UNITED STATES PATENTS g May14l9683,249,302 5/1966 136111165 350/179ux [45] Patemed mush" 3,399,012 8/1968Peters 3s0/179x [73] Assignee RCA Corporation Primary Examiner-Alvin H.Waring 1 Assistant ExaminerMichael Slobasky Allarney-H. Christoflersen[54] LIGHT DEIFLECTION SYSTEM 13 Claims. 2 Drawing Figs. I [52] U.S. Cl340/380;

350/179 ABSTRACT: A display system using a fluid stream as an opti- [51] Int. Cl... G08b 5/00, cal fiber carrying a light beam, by totalinternal reflection, to a G02b 1/06 display panel. The fluid stream isselectively directed to a [50} Field of Search 340/380; transparentcharacter on the display panel, and the light beam 350/179, 180,(Inquired); 40/28C, (inquired); is released from the fluid stream byinducing a sharp bend into 137/815, (lnquired); 235/(lnquired) the fluidstream.

LIGHT DEFLECTION SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use of fluidlogic systems has introduced the problem of converting the internaloperation of the fluid logic system into a display capable of being readby an operator. Preferably, the (liTPlilY system should be a closedsystem which maintains the llt-id integrity of the fluid logic apparatuswhile converting the fluid motions into visible display indicia.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A light-deflecting system using a fluid streamto carry a light beam introduced therein by total internal reflection.In a display system embodiment, the fluid stream is selectivelypositioned with respect to transparent characters on a display panel.The light beam is released from the fluid stream by impinging the fluidstream on the display panel. A logic tree using a plurality of fluidamplifiers with the final level of fluid amplifiers having their outputchannels terminate in fluid nozzles is used in one embodiment toposition the fluid stream. In other embodiments, an electrostaticdeflection apparatus is arranged to produce an X-Y deflection of thefluid stream to select a character from a character matrix on a displaypanel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a pictorial illustration ofan embodiment of the present invention, and 7 FIG. 2 is an illustrationof another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION ln FIG. I, there is shown a display systemembodying the present invention; A fluid pump I supplies a fluid from areservoir 2 to the input ofa logic tree 3 having a plurality offluidcontrol devices, e.g., fluid amplifiers. Specifically, the fluid outputof the pump I is directed into an input channel of a first, or lowest,level fluid amplifier 5 of the logic tree".3. A second level of logictree 3 has a pair of fluid amplifiers 7 and 8 with their respectivefluid input channels connected to corresponding ones of the fluid outputchannels of the first level fluid amplifier 5. Similarly, a third levelof the logic trcc" 3 has four fluid amplifiers 10,-I I, l2 and 13 withrespective fluid input channels connected to corresponding ones of thefluid output channels of the second level fluid amplifiers 7 and 8.Suitable control signals for each of the fluid amplifiers in the logic"tree"' 3 are supplied to respective control signal inputs of the fluidamplifiers 5, 7, 8, and 10 to 13 from any suitable source (not shown). Ihe output channels of the third level fluid amplifiers 10 to 13 are eachterminated by fluid nozzles. For example, fluid amplifier 10 has itsfluid output channels connected to corresponding ones of a pair of fluidnozzles 15, I6. Each of the fluid output channels of the fluidamplifiers I0 to I3, also, has a transparent wall section which mayinclude an integral lens system. Thus, fluid amplifier 10 has atransparent wall area 17 in the fluid output channel and a transparentwall area 19 in the fluid output channel 16. A separate light source isposi-, tioned in operative association with each of the transparent wallsections, e.g., a light source 20 is located adjacent to wall section 17and a light 21 is similarly located adjacent to wall section I8. Adisplay panel 23 having transparent characters 24 on a generally opaquebackground is located in front of and spaced from the output nozzles ofthe third level fluid amplifiers 10 to 13. The characters 24 are alignedwith respective ones of these Output nozzles. While transparentcharacters are shown, it is clear that the characters could beformedfrom phosphorescent material which is excited by the light beam.

in operation, the logic tree" 3 is selectively set" to a desiredcondition by input signals to the fluid amplifiers,

whereby a fluid path through the logic "tree" 3 is determined.

Thus, the fluid from the pump 1 is routed to a desired one of fluidamplifier I0. The images of the light sources are formed the outputnozzles connected to the third level fluid amplifiers I0 to 13. Thelight from each ofthe light sources is directed by the correspondingtransparent wall section and any associated lens system into theinterior of the output channel of the corresponding one of the fluidamplifiers 10 to 13. For example, the light from source 20 is directedby the transparent wall section 17 into the interior of the associatedoutput channel of within the corresponding fluid output channels tominimize any illumination of the display panel 23 by a light source whenthe working fluid is not present in the output channel. Thus, only aminimum of stray, or diffused light is allowed to reach the displaypanel 23 in the absence of a fluid in the output channel. This diffusedlight is effective to generally illuminate the display panel 23 withoutselecting a display character as hereinafter discussed. Alternatively, asingle light source could be used to introduce a light beam into thefluid stream at the input of the logic tree 3 to be carried by the fluidto the selected character.

The transparent working fluid used in the system of FIG. 1 isadvantageously selected to have a high index of refraction,

medium can be, air or another material of a lower refractive indexapplied as a coating on the solid fiber. This formula can be applied tothe liquid optical fiber of the present invention. 2 In solid fibers,the coating on the optical fiber reduces light losses due to the dirtand scratches and prevents light leakage between adjacent fibers. In thecase of the fluid fiber, the sides of the output channel and nozzlesform such an optical coating while in free air the need for such acoating is not important since the fluid is continuously moving andthere are no adjaccnt fibers.

The light beam is separated from the liquid fiber by impinging the fluidstream on the display panel 23 which produces a sharp bend in the fluidstream. If the radius of the bend is coinparable with the diameter ofthe liquid stream, then the major part of the light beam arrives at thebend at an angle less than" the critical angle 6. Under theseconditions, the beam cannot be totally internally reflected and, hence,is refracted out of the fluid stream. The intense light leaving thefluid stream brightly illuminates a selected character 24 on the panel23 to distinguish it from the other characters 24 which may beconcurrently dimly illuminated by diffused light. The impinging fluidleaving the display plate 23 may be returned to the reservoir 2 by anysuitable means (not shown) to provide a constant replenishment of theworking fluid.

In FIG. 2, there is shown another display system embodying the presentinvention. In this embodiment, an electrostatic deflection apparatus isused to deflect the light beam carrying fluid stream. A pump 30 suppliesa working fluid from'a reservoir 31 to a nozzle 32. The nozzle 32 has atransparent wall section 33 adjacent to a light source 35. A first pairof spacedapart stream-deflecting plates 37,38 are connected toselectively operable voltage sources 39,40 respectively A second pair ofspaced-apart deflection plates 42.43 are located downstream of the firstpair of plates 37,38 and arranged in an orthogonal relationship withrespect to the first plates 37,38. The second plates 42,43 are connectedto selectively operable voltage sources 44,45, respectively. A generallyopaque display panel 47 having a matrix of transparent characters 48thereon lS located downstream of the second pair of plates 42,43. Afluid return system 49 is located-adjacent to the panel 47 to return theworking fluid to the reservoir 31.

The operation of the liquid optical fiber of the embodiment shownin FIG.2 is similar to that discussed above with respect to the embodimentshown in FIG. 1. Thus, the light from the source 35 is introduced intothe working fluid through the wall section 33 and is, thereafter,carried by a stream 50of the working fluid issuing from the nozzle 32.The application of a voltageto a selected one of the deflecting platescreates a nonuniform field for the dipoles in the liquid which in thecase of a fine stream, i.e., small mass per unit length, produces adeflection of the stream in proportion to the voltage. Typically, with a0.010 inches-diameter water stream, a deflection is produced by a 200volt plate signal. The other deflection plate of each pair is leftfloating, i.e., no signal, since a similar voltage on the other platewould balance the attractive forces and produce no net displacement.Other ways of producing a deflection of the working fluid may be used.For

example, the fluid may be preionized and a uniform electric field usedbetween a pair of electrodes to deflect the stream in proportion tofield strength and polarity. Another method would be to use atransparent, high index of refraction, magnetic fluid passing through amagnetic field.

Since the first pair of plates 37, 38 and the second pair of plates 212,43 are mutually orthogonal, the deflection of the fluid stream 50 is ina combined X and Y direction. Thus, any character 48 in the charactermatrix on the display plates 47 can be selected by a suitableapplication of voltages to the deflecting plates 37, 38, 42 and 43. Theimpinging of the fluid stream on the display panel 47 releases the lightbeam from the fluid stream 50 to produce an illumination of the selectedcharacter. In a normal undeflected position, the stream 50 may bearranged to impinge on an opaque portion of the plate 47 whereby nodisplay character is illuminated.

A modification of the structure shown in FIG. 2 would inelude aplurality of X and Y sets of deflection plates arranged in successionalong the fluid path whereby the effect of each successive set of X andY plates would introduce an additional number of fluid positions, e.g.,the number of fluid positions would be 2 n) is the number of sets of Xand Y deflection plates.

We claim:

1. In combination:

a fluid optical fiber comprising a stream of a transparent fluid havinga substantially higher index ofrefraction than the. material at itssurface so that it totally internally reflects light, and having aninput end and a length which is substantially greater than its largestcross-sectional dimension; and 1 means for directing light at said inputend at an angle such that said light passes into said fiber, whereby itis conducted along the length of said stream.

2. In combination:

a fluid optical fiber comprising a stream of a transparent fluid havingan input end and a length substantially greater than its largestcross-sectional dimension;

means for directing light at said input end at an angle such that thelight passes into said fiber and is conducted along the length thereofvia internal reflection from the surface that the light passes into saidfiber and is conducted along the length thereof via internal reflectionfrom the surface of said stream; and

means along the length of said fiber for distorting the streamsufficiently to cause at least a portion of the light conducted by thefiber to pass out of saidfiber.

4. in combination:

a display device;

a source of fluid which is capable of conducting light;

means for transmitting fluid from said source in a fluid stream to saiddisplay device including means for directing said fluid stream toimpinge on a desired one of a number of different areas of said display;and

5 means for introducing light into said fluid stream, said fluid streamacting as a fluid fiber optic to transmit the light by total internalreflection from the surface of said fluid stream, the light illuminatingthe area of said display at which said fluid stream impinges.

5. The combination claimed in claim 4, said means for transmittingcomprising n fluid paths, where n is an integer, each such path having afluid receiving end and a fluid transmitting end, each fluid receivingend being connected to said source of 'fluid and each fluid transmittingend being positioned with respect to saiddisplay such that the fluidstream transmitted by said path impinges on a predetermined area of saiddisplay.

6. The combination claimed in claim 5, said means for directingincluding means for selecting different ones of said fluid paths totransmit said fluid stream. I

7. The combination claim in claim 4,

said means for directing comprising deflection means positioned betweensaid source and said display device such that the path taken by saidfluidstream and the area of said display where the fluid impinges iscontrollable by said deflection means; and

means for applying electrical potentials to said deflection means fordirecting said fluid stream to different areas of said display device.

8. The combination claimed in claim 4, said means for introducing lightcomprising means for directing light into one end of said fluid stream.

9. In combination:

a display device;

a source offluid which is capable of conducting light;

n fluid paths, where n is an integer, each having a fluid receiving endand a fluid transmitting end, each such path being connected at thefluid receiving end to said source of fluid;

n fluid output channels each being connected to one of the fluidtransmitting ends of said n fluid paths, and each output channel beingaligned with a predetermined area of said display device such that fluidtransmitted through said channel impinges on said predetermined area;

means for selecting one of said It fluid paths to transmit said fluid;and

means for introducing light into said fluid, the fluid conducting thelight through said selected fluid path by internal reflection from thefluid surface, the light illuminating the area of said display at whichsaid fluid impinges.

10. The combination claimed in claim 9, said fluid being transparent.

11. The combination claimed in claim 9, said fluid being translucent.

12. In a dis-play device having an opaque background on which ntransparent characters are situated, where n is an integer, thecombination comprising: 60 a source of fluid which is capable ofconducting light;

a plurality of fluid paths, there being at least the same number ofpaths as there are characters on said display,

' said fluid paths each having a fluid receiving end and a fluidtransmitting end, the fluid receiving end of each path being connectedto said source offluid;

a plurality of fluid output channels, there being one such channel perfluid path, the fluid transmittingend of said path being connectedto'said output channel, and each output channel being aligned with oneof said n characters such that fluid transmitted by said channel strikessaid character;

means for selecting one of said plurality of fluid paths to transmitsaid fluid; and

means for introducing light into said fluid, the fluid transmining thelight through said selected fluid path by interdisplay device; and

means for directing light an said input end of said fluid stream and atan angle to cause said light to enter said stream and to be conductedalong the length of said stream by internal reflection from the surfacedefining said stream. the light. upon reaching said display device.exiting from said stream and illuminating the portion of the displaydevice on which it impinges by virtue of the change in direction ofsaidstream.

1. In combination: a fluid optical fiber comprising a stream of atransparent fluid having a substantially higher index of refraction thanthe material at its surface so that it totally internally reflectslight, and having an input end and a length which is substantiallygreater than its largest cross-sectional dimension; and means fordirecting light at said input end at an angle such that said lightpasses into said fiber, whereby it is conducted alOng the length of saidstream.
 2. In combination: a fluid optical fiber comprising a stream ofa transparent fluid having an input end and a length substantiallygreater than its largest cross-sectional dimension; means for directinglight at said input end at an angle such that the light passes into saidfiber and is conducted along the length thereof via internal reflectionfrom the surface of said stream; and means along the length of saidfiber for producing a bend therein at an angle sufficiently sharp tocause the light conducted by the fiber to pass out of said fiber at saidbend.
 3. In combination: a fluid optical fiber comprising a stream of atransparent fluid having an input end and a length substantially greaterthan its largest cross-sectional dimension; means for directing light atsaid input end at an angle such that the light passes into said fiberand is conducted along the length thereof via internal reflection fromthe surface of said stream; and means along the length of said fiber fordistorting the stream sufficiently to cause at least a portion of thelight conducted by the fiber to pass out of said fiber.
 4. Incombination: a display device; a source of fluid which is capable ofconducting light; means for transmitting fluid from said source in afluid stream to said display device including means for directing saidfluid stream to impinge on a desired one of a number of different areasof said display; and means for introducing light into said fluid stream,said fluid stream acting as a fluid fiber optic to transmit the light bytotal internal reflection from the surface of said fluid stream, thelight illuminating the area of said display at which said fluid streamimpinges.
 5. The combination claimed in claim 4, said means fortransmitting comprising n fluid paths, where n is an integer, each suchpath having a fluid receiving end and a fluid transmitting end, eachfluid receiving end being connected to said source of fluid and eachfluid transmitting end being positioned with respect to said displaysuch that the fluid stream transmitted by said path impinges on apredetermined area of said display.
 6. The combination claimed in claim5, said means for directing including means for selecting different onesof said n fluid paths to transmit said fluid stream.
 7. The combinationclaim in claim 4, said means for directing comprising deflection meanspositioned between said source and said display device such that thepath taken by said fluid stream and the area of said display where thefluid impinges is controllable by said deflection means; and means forapplying electrical potentials to said deflection means for directingsaid fluid stream to different areas of said display device.
 8. Thecombination claimed in claim 4, said means for introducing lightcomprising means for directing light into one end of said fluid stream.9. In combination: a display device; a source of fluid which is capableof conducting light; n fluid paths, where n is an integer, each having afluid receiving end and a fluid transmitting end, each such path beingconnected at the fluid receiving end to said source of fluid; n fluidoutput channels each being connected to one of the fluid transmittingends of said n fluid paths, and each output channel being aligned with apredetermined area of said display device such that fluid transmittedthrough said channel impinges on said predetermined area; means forselecting one of said n fluid paths to transmit said fluid; and meansfor introducing light into said fluid, the fluid conducting the lightthrough said selected fluid path by internal reflection from the fluidsurface, the light illuminating the area of said display at which saidfluid impinges.
 10. The combination claimed in claim 9, said fluid beingtransparent.
 11. The combination claimed in claim 9, said fluid beingtranslucent.
 12. In a display device having an opaque background onwhich n transparent characters are situated, where n is an integer, thecombination comprising: a source of fluid which is capable of conductinglight; a plurality of fluid paths, there being at least the same numberof paths as there are characters on said display, said fluid paths eachhaving a fluid receiving end and a fluid transmitting end, the fluidreceiving end of each path being connected to said source of fluid; aplurality of fluid output channels, there being one such channel perfluid path, the fluid transmitting end of said path being connected tosaid output channel, and each output channel being aligned with one ofsaid n characters such that fluid transmitted by said channel strikessaid character; means for selecting one of said plurality of fluid pathsto transmit said fluid; and means for introducing light into said fluid,the fluid transmitting the light through said selected fluid path byinternal reflection from the fluid surface, the light illuminating thecharacter struck by said fluid.
 13. In combination: a display device;means for transmitting a transparent fluid in a fluid stream, at least aportion of which is not enclosed by a fluid conduit, from an input endof said stream to said display device; deflection means operativelyassociated with said unenclosed portion of said fluid stream fordeflecting said stream to cause it to impinge on a desired region ofsaid display device; and means for directing light an said input end ofsaid fluid stream and at an angle to cause said light to enter saidstream and to be conducted along the length of said stream by internalreflection from the surface defining said stream, the light, uponreaching said display device, exiting from said stream and illuminatingthe portion of the display device on which it impinges by virtue of thechange in direction of said stream.